Electric alarm clock



May 31, 1949.

w. K. SESSIONS, JR., ET AL 2,471,549

ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK Fi led Nov. 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l y 1949- w. K. SESSIONS, JR., ET AL 2,471,549

ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK Filed Nov. 26, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1949- w. K. SESSIONS, JR., ET AL 2,471,549

ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 26, 1947 Patented May 31, 1949 ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK William K. Sessions, J12, Bristol, and Earl D. Brightman, Forestville, Conn., assignors to The Sessions Clock 00., Forestville, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application November 26, 1947, Serial No. 788,292

22 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to timepieces and more especially to the alarm mechanism of an electric alarm clock.

An object of the invention is to provide a superior alarm mechanism for electric alarm clocks.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric alarm clock with superior alarm mechanism wherein the component parts thereof are relatively few in number and adapted to be assembled wholly within the confines of the alarm-bell.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved alarm mechanism embodying a bell in which all of the elements of the alarm mechanism are mounted and which constitutes one of the movement-plates of the timepiece.

A still further object of the invention is to provide superior mechanical alarm-means which is dependable in operation, secured against inadvertent disarrangement and adapted to give a resonant unmuffled bell tone.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings. in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. l is a front elevation of an electric alarm clock embodying the present invention;

2 is an enlarged side elevation of the timepiece shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the timepiece showing the alarm mechanism and electric motor mounted in the bell;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in section of the bell and alarm mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the timepiece similar to Fig. 3, except that the actuating-member of the alarm mechanism has been disconnected from the eccentric-pin of the motor by the alarm-shutoif lever;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the rotor of the electric motor, including the eccentric-pin;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the levermembers of the toggle-joint;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the second levermember of the toggle-joint, including an integral bell-hammer;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the actuatinglink for connecting the eccentric-pin to the toggle-joint; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the manually- 2 operated alarm-shutoff lever and its guardfinger.

The particular electric alarm clock described and disclosed herein as an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a dial 15, the usual minute-hand and hour-hand I6 and I! respectively, and a seconds pointer I8, all of which are arranged to be driven about the dial I5 by the propelling-unit and time-train assembly described in detail in the patent of Raymond E. Hutchinson, No. 2,211,426, dated August 13, 1940.

The dial [5 is carried on the front face of a dial back-plate l 9 (see Fig. 2) which is preferably a substantially-fiat disk-shaped metal-member provided with a central opening for the passage of the mounting and operating means of the hands it and ll and the seconds pointer 18. The aforementioned time-train is indicated generally at it and inasmuch as the specific details of this mechanism are not essential to a full and clear disclosure of the present invention, a more detailed description thereof is omitted. It will suffice, therefore, to point out that the time-train 2%! is adapted to be driven by a propelling-unit, indicated generally at 2|, which is a self-starting synchronous electric motor having a worm 22 projecting from its front face arranged as described more fully in the aforementioned patent, to drive the time-train 20.

The time-train 20 and the electric motor 2| are supported by a movement-frame which constitutes the dial back-plate l9 and the substantially-flat disk-shaped bottom Wall or bell-head 23 of a cup-shaped alarm-bell indicated generally at 24, the alarm-bell being supported on the back of the dial back-plate by means of three suitably-spaced pillars 25 which support the dial back-plate and the head 23 of the bell in spaced parallel relationship with the cylindrical side wall 26 of the bell 24 extending rearwardly at substantially right angles to the bell-head 23. It will be clear that the dial back-plate [9 thus constitutes both the dial back-plate of the timepiece and the front movement-plate and that the bell-head 23 constitutes the rear movementplate of the timepiece.

For the purposes of the present invention, the electric motor 2! need be but briefly described. Electric current from a suitable source may be supplied to leads 2'! which pass through openings provided in a stator 23. Preferably, certain of the salient-poles of the stator are shaded by suitably-pierced shading-rings 3! formed of copper or the like which are permanently organized with the stator 28 to produce a rotating field effect and secure a self-starting synchronous motor structure.

Arranged to be acted on by the rotating field of the motor is a rotor 32 (see Fig. 6) having a forwardly-extending flange 33 which overlies and turns about the inter-fitted salient-poles of the stator. The rotor 32 is rigidly secured to a collet 34 andthe collet, in turn, is rigidly secured to the rear end of a rotor-shaft 35. The collet 34 which is rotatable with the rotor 32 extends rearwardly therefrom, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, and is provided with an eccentric-pin 36 which projects rearwardly of the rotor 32,'for the purpose hereinafter described. The IOtO1-Shaft+35-X tends forwardly of the rotor 32 and projects through an aperture in the head 23 of the alarmbell to provide a forwardly-extending stem on which the worm 22 is secured. The electric motor 2! is fixedly mounted on the rear face of the bellhead 23 of the movement-frame within the Confines of the side wall 26 by suitable means such as studs 31 which project from the forward end .oiithe cup-shaped pole-piece 28 through the bellhead.23.

The alarm mechanism is indicated generally at 38 and as especially well shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, is supported by the bell-head 2-3 Within the confines ofits side wall 26 and in juxtaposition to-theelectric motor 2!. The alarm mechanism 38 constitutes mechanical alarm-means which is adapted to actuate a hammer for striking the wall .25 ofthe alarm-belland is supported as aunit within the sidewall zfiby means of a mounting- .plate 39 which, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, is a .flat substantially-U-shaped plate otherwise secured to the rear face of the bell-- head 23 with its'U-shaped opening facing outwardly radially and immediately over an aperture-4t of the bell-head 23. The aperture (it! constitutes guide-means for the automatic alarm- .settingand-releasingshaft M of the timepiece .which, asshownin Fig. 4, is provided at its'rear end with ahead 42 adapted normally to be held in itsrearmost position :in the bell so as to disconnect the alarm mechanism of the timepiece, as hereinafter described; and in its forward position to release the alarm mechanism so as to permit the alarm mechanism to be connected with the propelling-unit, the forward and rearwardrmovements of theshaft M being controlled automatically by an alarm'tirne-train described more fully in the aforementioned patent.

Extending rearwardly substantially perpendicularly from the mounting-plate '39 are three pivot-post's t, 4d and 35, each of which is provided with an axial aperture in its upper-end 'toireceive'a'pin or'similar fastening-means for pivotallysecuring an element of the alarm mechanism thereto, as hereinafter described.

Referring espe'cially'to Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the i alarm. mechanism comprises'a toggle-joint indicated generally at 46 and characterized by a loosely-jointedknee s!. The toggle-joint"46 consists of a lever'dfl having an aperture 49 at its rear end and taperingforwardly so as to terminate at its forward end in a relatively-narrow tangtll 'bent 'rearwardly at substantially right angles thereto. Formed in the lever 48 intermediate its apertured rear en'dand its tang B, is an aperture 5!.

The second lever of the toggle-joint comprises thermember i52having'an aperture 53 at one end and aslotkiii at its opposite end extending substantially longitudinally thereof. The slot 54 is preferablyclosed at both ends, but it may interriveted or g sect the outer free end of the lever 52. Formed integrally with the latter and at the apertured end thereof, is a hammer comprising a hammerarm 55 having an enlargement or hammer-head 5 56 at the outer free end thereof, the arm 55 making an angle of substantially 119 with the lever filand bein-g bent forwardly from'the vertical .plane thereof soas to locate the hammer-head 56 in a substantially-vertical plane intermediate tt'he forward and rearward edges of the side wall bemountediion t'he top of the post 53 and to be pivotally secured thereto by a flanged pivot-pin Eharraneed to make a press fit in the axial aperture of the post'43. The lever-member 52 of the toggle-joint is similarly secured to the top of the post by a flanged pivot-pin 58, the slotted end of the lever 52 being engaged over the tapered free endrof the leverddwith-the tang5t of the lever d8 project-ing up throughth'e slot 54. :As shown clearl'yuin Figs. 3 and 5, the widthof the tang 59 lis less than the width of the slot 56 so thatthe tang has appreciable free or lost motion transversely of therslot. The length of each togglejoint. post's? and/t5 is such that the to-ggleioint "at. is supported substantially in the vertical plane of the rear-edge 'of the side'walL-as indicated in Fig. 4.

Loosely connected to the lever 58 of the toggleljsoint atits-aperture 5i by'athird'i'langed pin 59 or similar fastening means, is the aperturedend =60 :of. an actuating-member or link 6 I the opposite'tend' or" which is provided with an asymmetrical-enlargement 62 having a straight'bottom edge 63 whichrconstitutes acontinuation of the bottom edge :fi' kof the link "56. The enlargement (-32 is providedwithz'a -substantially- U --shaped notch 65 whichintersects its bottom edge $3, and which has right and left walls spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the eccentricepintdas shownandfor the purpose hereinafter-described. For-optimum performance, the

. lower outer'corners'of the "notch =65 are rounded off as indicated'iatfit. Adjacent the opposite end of tthe link'fil is a, link-disconnecting cam-plate -61'which,:.:as"sho'wn in 'Fig."9,'is integral or otherwise secured at its upper end to the bottom edge .264 orthetlink 6i and at substantially right angles thereto, the lower end 68 ofthe cam-plate El beingbentupwar'dly and forwardly'for engagement by the head d2 of the alarm-setting shaft M, in the manner described below.

The normal position of the actuating-link 6! is its inoperative position, as indicated in Fig. 5, wherein the'link is swung upwardly so as to disengage'its notch "55 from the eccentric-pin 36 of thero'tor, thereby to interrupt the transmission of'motion to the bell-hammer 56 and the consequent 'ringing of the bell. -This normal inoperative position of the actuating-linkfii may be effccted either automatically or manually.

"Referring especially to Fig. 10, the manual means ='forthrowing the actuating-link upwardly into'its inoper'ative position comprises an alarmshutofl lever 69 Whi'Ch'iS provided with an aper- "ture lll intermediate its opposite ends for fasten- 70 ling-means "H arranged to pivotally secure the alarm-shutoff lever 69 to the top of the post 66, "the fastening-means 'il being adapted to fricti'onally engage thetop of the lever $9 so as to hold the latter in any set position. The outer end of th'elever tsrcomprise's a reach l2 which-is offset rearwardly from the plane of the lever and provided with a finger-piece 13 at its outer end, bent or otherwise formed substantially perpendicular thereto and adapted to extend rearwardly through an arcuate guide-slot 74 in the back-plate T5 of the timepiece, as indicated clearly in Figs. 3 and 5, for manipulating the alarm-shutoff lever. The opposite end of the alarm-shutoff lever 69 comprises a bifurcated reach it, the longitudinal axis of which is substantially in alignment with the reach 12, the furcation Ti of the reach 15 being provided at its outer end with a lifting-finger l3, bent or otherwise formed at substantially right angles thereto and forwardly thereof. The furcation 19 of the reach M- embodies a guard-finger 80 which extends beyond the liftingfinger l8 and is adapted to overlie the actuating-link 6! when the latter is in either its normal inoperative position or its operative position, in order to retain the link and in particula: its notch 65 in operative relationship with the eccentric-pin 36, that is to say, to prevent the enlarged end 52 of the actuating-link from being sprung rearwardly so as to overlie the eccentric-pin.

The manipulation of the alarm-shutoff lever 69 to engage and disengage the actuating-link 6! is indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, the normal position of the alarm-shutoff lever'being shown in the latter figure wherein the lifting-finger E8 of the lever has engaged the bottom edge 64 of the actuating-link and lifted its notch [55 out of engagement with the eccentric-pin of the rotor so as to disconnect the toggle-joint and hammer of the alarm-bell, the finger-piece '53 of the alarm-shutoff lever being at the bottom of the slot M in the back-plate of the timepiece. When the alarmshutoff lever is swung in a clockwise direction so as to bring the finger-piece T3 to the upper end of the slot 14, the lifting-finger i8 is withdrawn from engagement with the bottom edge 84 of the actuating-link, as indicated clearly in Fig. 3, thereby permitting the latter to swing downwardly or clockwise into its operative position. wherein its notch 65 engages the eccentric-pin 36 of th rotor 32.

The actuating-link 5! is also adapted to be moved into its inoperative and operative positions respectively by means of the aforementioned automatic alarm-setting shaft 4| wherein the head 42 thereof is arranged normally to extend rearwardly into the bell in engagement with the cam-plate 6! of the actuating-link to hold the notch 65 of the latter up out of engagement with the eccentric-pin of the rotor; and on its forward movement, which is accomplished automatically by the alarm-setting mechanism, to disengage the cam-plate and permit the actuating-link to drop back into operative engagement with the eccentric-pin.

In order to facilitate re-engagement of the notch 55 of the actuating-link with the eccentricpin for any position of the latter, the width of the notch 65 is made somewhat greater than the diameter of the eccentric-pin and its corners 65 rounded so that when the notched edge 63 of the actuating-link drops down onto the eccentric-pin, the latter will readily engage the notch. Normally, the weight of the hammer tends to hold the knee 4! of the toggle-joint downwardly, as seen in Fig. 5, and hence to displace the notch 55 of the actuating-link to the extreme right of the locus of the eccentric-pin. Under these conditions, if the actuating-link is released at a time when the pin is to the left of the notch '65, the inner portion 630 of the notched bottom edge 63 of the link will fall onto the eccentric-pin and as the latter moves downwardly and away therefrom, it will ride along the inner portion 630 until it arrives opposite the notch 65, whereupon the pin enters therein. If, on the other hand, the actuating-link is released at a time when the eccentric-pin is to its extreme right, the rounded outer corner of the notch 65 will engage the pin and as the latter moves upwardly and away from the rounded corner 68, it enters the notch 65. In this connection it should be pointed out since the actuating-link is at the extreme right end of its reciprocable movement and is thus positively prevented from further movement in this direction by engagement of the hammer with the side wall of the bell, it is imperative that the outer corner E55 be accurately 1ocated with respect to the eccentric-pin so as to prevent a jam. To this end, it has been found that when the outer portion 63! of the notched bottom edge 63 of the link is substantially in alignment with the inner portion the required height of the right and left walls of the U-shaped notch 65 may be maintained and the outer corner 66 of the notch located in an optimum position with respect to the pin for facilitating entry thereof into the notch.

In its operating position, the notch 65 of the actuating-link 35! engages the eccentric-pin 3B which. imparts a compound reciprocating and oscillating motion to the link 6! for actuating the toggle-joint 35 and causing the hammer to strike and to be positively withdrawn from the side wall 26. In this connection, it should be pointed out that when the tang 5c of the toggle-joint has been pulled down to its lowermost position by the actuating-link 6!, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 3, the hammer-head is in engagement with the side wall, but the edges of the slot 54 of its lever 52 are clear of the corresponding sides of the tang. Consequently, the hammer-head is permitted to rebound freely after striking the side wall 26, thus insuring a clear unmufiled resonant bell tone. As the tang is moved upwardly clockwise, it picks up the hammer-lever 52 and positively swings the hammer-head upwardly away from the side wall. .At the upper limit of its movement, the tang 58 reverses its direction of movement, thereby imparting a sudden kick to the hammer-lever 52 whereby the hammer-head is impelled forcefully but substantially unrestrainedly against the side wall 25 to give a clear bell tone.

The operation of the alarm mechanism may be described briefly as follows. Assuming the shutoffllevcr BS is in its operative position, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby disengaging the actuating-link 61 from the eccentr c-pin of the rotor and that current from a suitable source is entering the motor by way of the leads 2'4, then the rotor 32 and its eccentrio-pin 36 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Figs. 3 and 5, and the alarm-hammer will remain immobile. To actuate the alarm-hammer, the manually-operated shutoff-lever is swung downwardly in a clockwise direction to its position shown in Fig. 3 thereby releasing the actuatinglink [5! so as to permit its notch 65 to engage the eccentric-pin of the rotor. In consequence thereof, the toggle-joint it is actuated, thereby imparting bell-striking motion to the hammer 56, the alarm being sounded as long as the actuatinglink remains in engagement with the eccentricpin. The alarm may be shut off manually by swinging the lever 69 upwardly so as to engage its finger 18 with the bottom edge 64 of the link and 7 lift its notch 65. out of engagement with the eccentric-pin 35.

Similar movements of the actuatinglink (ii to and from its alarm-operating position may be efiectedv automatically by the alarm-setting mechanism of the timepiece (not shown) Whichis arranged to set the head E2 of the alarm-setting shaft M in engagement with the cam-plate ill of the actuating-link so as to hold the latter upwardly in its inoperative position until such time as the alarm-setting mechanism automatically releases thea1arm-setting shaft All so as to permit its head :12 to move forwardly automatically out of engagement with the cam-plate (ll of the actuating-link, thereby to permit the notch 65 of. the latter to re-engage the eccentric-pin and actuate the alarm.

As will be apparent, the construction and arrangement of the parts herein shown and dcscribed are such as to secure the carrying out of the operations above set forth in a superior and effective manner by mounting the alarm mech anism, including the electric motor, in the bell of thealarm, the respective parts being compactly arranged and yet the relationship or the parts is such that the desired. compactness is secured without cramping. Moreover, by using an alarmbell both as a supporting-means for the alarm mechanism and motor of the timepiece as well as the one element of the movement-frame, a time piece is provided which is relatively inexpensive and comprises relatively few easily assembled elements.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those here n set forth without departing from the spirit and essential charac-- teristics of the-invention, and the present embodiments therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning; and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be. embraced therein.

We claim:

1. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin; and mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom Wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint, a hammer operatively connected to one end of said toggle-joint and an actuating-member engaged at one end by said QCCQlltlilC-Dll'l and pivoted at its opposite end to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell;

2. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin within said bell; and mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall. in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-Joint and an actuating-member engaged atone end by said eccentric-pin and pivoted at its opposite end to the opposite end of said toggle-- joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating member to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell.

3. In, an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell: comprising a bottom wall and a side wall;

an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating eccentric-pin within said bell; and mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom wall in'juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a togglejoint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member having a recess at one end arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin and a pivotal member arranged to connect the opposite end of said actuating-member to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell.

4. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammeractuating pin Within said bell; and mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a togglejoint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member having an enlargement at one end provided witha notch in one edge thereof arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin and a pivotal member arranged to connect the opposite end of said actuating-member to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell.

5. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall;

an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-1-otatable eccentric hammeractuating pin within said bell; and mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom Wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a togglejoint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member comprising an arm having an asymmetrical enlargement at one end, one edge of said enlargement being an extension of one edge of said arm and intersected. by a substantially-U-shaped notch arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin and a pivot-pin arranged to connect the opposite endof said actuating-arm to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-arm to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell.

6. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within. said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin Within said bell; and mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member comprising an hammer for striking the side wall of said bell.

7. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammeractuating pin within said bell; mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member having a notch at one end arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin, and a pivot-pin arranged to connect the opposite end of said actuating-member to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuatingmember to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell; and an alarm-shutoff lever mounted without said side wall and arranged to engage said actuating-member to lift its notch from said eccentric-pin so as to disengage the latter from said toggle-joint and discontinue the bellstriking operation of said hammer.

8. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side Wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammeractuating pin within said bell; mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a togglejoint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member having a notch at one end arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin, and a pivot-pin arrranged to connect the opposite end of said actuating-member to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuatingmember to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell; an alarm-shutoff lever having a finger-grip at one end thereof; and a pivotal-member arranged to support said lever intermediate its ends without said side wall, the opposite end of said lever being arranged to be swung into engagement with said actuatingmember by manipulation of said finger-grip to lift the notch of said member from said eccentric-pin so as to disengage the latter from said toggle-joint and discontinue the bell-striking operation of said hammer.

9. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall witl'nn said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin within said bell; mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a togglejoint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member having a notch at one end arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin, and a pivot-pin arranged to connect the opposite end of said actuating member to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuatingmember to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell; an alarm-shutoff lever mounted without said side wall and arranged to engage said actuating-member to lift its notch from said eccentric-pin so as to disengage the latter from said toggle-joint and discontinue the bell-striking operation of said hammer; and a guard carried by said alarm-shutoff lever arranged to extend over said actuating-member in both its operative and inoperative positions to retain said actuatingmember with the range of operation of said eccentric-pin.

10. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a cortinuously-rotatable eccentric hammeractuating pin within said bell; mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint, an actuating-member having a notch at one end arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin, and a pivot-pin arranged to connect the opposite end of said actuatingmember to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-me beer to said hammer for striking the side wall of said bell; an alarm-shutoff lever having a finger-grip at one end th reof; a pivotal-member arranged to support said lever intermediate its ends Without said side wall, the opposite end of said lever being arranged to be swung into engagement with said actuating-member by manipulation of said finger-grip to lift the notch of said member from said eccentric-pin so as to disengage the latter from said toggle-joint and discontinue the bell-striking operation of said hammer; and an integral guard-finger projecting forwardly from the opposite end of said alarmshutofi" lever to extend over the actuating-memb-er in both its operative and inoperative positions to retain the latter within the range of operation of said eccentric-pin.

11. In an electric alarm clock: a, cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin Within said bell; and mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint and an actuating-member engaged at one end by said eccentric-pin and pivoted at its opposite end to the opposite end of said loosely-jointed toggle thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side Wall of said bell, the said loosely-jointed knee of said toggle-joint being arranged to allow said hammer to rebound freely from said side wall after each stroke so as to enhance the resonance K of the bell tone.

12. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom Wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin within said bell; and mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a hammer arranged to strike said side wall, an actuatin member driven by said eccentric-pin, and levermechanism arranged to interconnect said hammer and said actuating-member so as to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side wall of said bell, said lever-mechanism comprising a lever-arm pivotally supported at one end within said bell-Wall, a tang at the opposite free end of said lever-arm, a fastening-member intermediate the opposite ends of said lever-arm to actuating-member thereto, and a bell-crank member pivotally supported intermediate its ends within said bell-wall, said bell-crank having the hammer at one end thereof arranged to strike said side wall and a slot at its opposite end arranged to receive said tang so as to operatively connect said lever-arm and said bell-crank.

13. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom walll within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating-pin within said bell; and mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a hammer arranged to strike the side wall of said bell, an actuating-member driven by said eccentric-pin and lever-mechanism arranged to interconnect said hammer and said actuating-member so as to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against said side wall, said lever-mechanism comprising a lever-arm pivotally supported at one end within said side wall, a tang at the opposite free end of said lever-arm, a fastening-member intermediate the opposite ends of said lever-arm to pivotally connect said actuating-member thereto, and a bell-crank member pivotally supported \intermediate itsends within said side wall, said bellcrank having the hammer at one end thereof arranged to strike said sidewall and a slot at its opposite end arranged to receive said tang, said slot exceeding in width the corresponding dimension of said tang so as to provide a loose connection between said lever-arm and said bell-crank thereby 'to allow said hammer to rebound freely from said side wall after each stroke so as to enhance the resonance of the bell tone.

14. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammeractuating pin within said bell; and mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle- J'oint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint and an actuating-member having an enlargement at one end provided with a notch in one edge thereof arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin, said actuating-member being pivotally connected at its opposite end to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side wall of said bell, the said loosely-jointed knee of said toggle-joint being arranged to allow said hammer to rebound freely from said side wall after each stroke so as to enhance the resonance of the bell tone.

15. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a conpivotally connect said "i2 of one edgeof said-armand a U shaped notch intersecting the said one edge of said asymmetrical enlargement, said U-shaped notch exceeding in width the diameter of said eccentric-pin whereby said notch is arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin with a relatively-loose fit and a pivot-pin arranged to connect the opposite end of said actuating-arm to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-arm to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side wall of said bell,

tinuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating I pin within said bell; and mechanical alarmmeans mounted on said bottom wall in juxtapositionto said motor, comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one endof said toggle-joint and an actuating-member comprising an arm having an asymmetrical enlargement at one end, one edge of said enlargement being an extension the said loosely jointed knee of said toggle-joint being arranged to allow said hammer to rebound freely from said side wall after each stroke so as to enhance the resonance of the bell tone.

16. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side Wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin within said bell; mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint and an actuating-member having an enlargement at one end provided With a notch in one edge thereof arranged to operatively engage said eccentric-pin, said actuating-member being pivotally connected at its opposite end to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side wall of said bell, the said loosely-jointed knee of said togglejoint being arranged to allow said hammer to rebound freely from said side wall after each stroke so as to enhance the resonance of the bell tone; and an automatic alarm-release shaft arranged normally to project into said bell to engage said actuating-member and hold the notch thereof out of engagement with said eccentric-pin so as to disengage the latter from said toggle-joint, said alarm-release shaft being arranged to automatically disengage from said actuating-member to permit its notch to re-engage said eccentric-pin so as to re-engage the latter with said toggle-joint and transmit bell-striking motion to said hammer.

1'7. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin within said bell; mechanical alarm-means mounted on said bottom wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle'joint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint and an actuating-member having an enlargement at one end provided with a notch in one edge thereof arranged to operatively engage said eccentricpin, said actuating-member being pivotally connected at its opposite end to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side wall of said bell, the said loosely-jointed knee of said toggle-joint being arranged to allow said hammer to rebound freely from said side wall after each stroke so as to enhance the resonance of the bell tone; an automatic alarm-release control shaft arranged normally to project into said bell to engage said actuating-member and hold the notch thereof out of engagement with said eccentric-pin so as to disconnect the latter from said togglejoint, said alarm-release shaft being arranged to automatically disengage from said actuatingmember to permit its notch to re-engage said eccentric-pin so as to connect the latter to said toggle-joint and transmit bell-striking motion to said hammer; and a manually-operated alarmshutofi member mounted in said bell and arranged to engage said actuating-member to lift its notch from said eccentric-pin so as to discontinue the bell-striking operation of said hammer. 18. In an electric alarm clock: a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side Wall; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall, said electric motor having a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammeractuating pin within said bell; alarm mechanism mounted on said bottom Wall in juxtaposition to said motor, comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely-jointed l nee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of :aid toggle-joint and an actuating-member having an enlargement at one end provided with a notch in one edge thereof arranged to operativel engage said eccentricpin, said actuating-member being pivotally connected at its opposite end to the opposite end of said toggle-joint thereby to transmit the move ment of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side wall of said bell, the said loosely-jointed knee of said toggle-joint being arranged to allow said hammer to rebound freely from said side wall after each stroke so as to enhance the resonance of the bell tone; an automatic alarm-release shaft arranged normally to project into said bell to engage said actuating-member and hold the notch thereof out of engagement with said eccentric-pin so as to disengage the latter from said toggle-joint, said alarm-release shaft being arranged to automatically disengage from said actuating-member to permit its notch to re-engage said eccentric-pin so as to re-engage the latter with said toggle-joint and transmit bell-striking motion to said hammer; a manually-operated alarm-shutoif member mounted in said bell and arranged to engage said actuating-member to lift its notch from said eccentric-pin so as to discontinue the bell-strilring operation of said hammer; and a guard carried by said alarm-shutofi member arranged to extend over said actuatingmember in both its operative and inoperative positions to retain said actuating-member within the range of operation of said eccentric-pin.

19. An electric alarm clock comprising a dial; a dial back-plate; a time-train; a bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; means to support said bell on said dial back-plate in rearwardly-spaced relation thereto and with the side Wall of said bell extending rearwardly of its bottom wall, said bottom wall and said dial backplate constituting a movement-frame for supporting said time-train; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall and carrying a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin, said motor also including a rotary-member extending through said bottom wall and operatively connected at its forward end with said time-train; and alarm mechanism mounted on said bottom Wall within said side wall in juxtaposition to said motor, said alarm mechanism comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said togglejoint and an actuating-member engaged at one end by said eccentric-pin and pivoted at its opposite end to the opposite end of Said toggle joint, thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side wall of said bell.

20. An electric alarm clock comprising a dial; a dial back-plate; a time-train; a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; means to support said bell on said dial backplate in rearwardly-spaced relation thereto and with the side wall of said bell extending rearwardly of its bottom wall, said bottom. Wall and said dial back-plate constituting a movementframe for supporting said time-train; an electric motor on said bottom wall within said side Wall and carrying a continuously-r0tatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin, said motor also including a rotary-member extending through said bottom wall operatively connected at its forward end with said time-train; an alarm mechanism mounted on said bottom Wall within said side wall in juxtaposition to said motor, said alarm mechanism comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely iointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint and a notched actuating-member engaged at one end by said eccentric-pin and pivoted at its opposite end to the opposite end of said togglejoint, thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side Wall of said bell; and an automatic alarm-release shaft arranged normally to project rearwardl from said movementframe into said bell to engage said actuatingmember and hold the notch thereof out of en- ;3 gagement with said eccentric-pin so as to disconnect the latter from said toggle-joint, said alarm-release shaft being arranged to automatically disengage from said actuating-member to permit its notch to re-engage said eccentricpin.

21. An electric alarm clock comprising a dial; a dial back-plate; a time-train; a cup-shaped bell comprising a bottom wall and a side Wall; means to support said bell on said dial backplate in rearwardly-spaced relation thereto and with the side wall of said bell extending rearwardly of its bottom wall, said bottom wall and said dial back-plate constituting a movementframe for supporting said time-train; an electric motor mounted on said bottom wall within said side Wall and carrying a continuously-rotatable hammer-actuating eccentric-pin at the rear thereof, said motor also including a rotary-member extending through said bottom wall and operatively connected at its forward end with said time-train; an alarm mechanism mounted on said bottom wall within said side wall in juxtaposition to said motor, said alarm mechanism comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint and an actuating-member engaged at one end by said eccentric-pin and pivoted at its opposite end to the opposite end of said toggle-joint, thereby to transmit the movement of said actuating-member to said hammer for impelling the latter against the side Wall of said bell; and a manually-operative a1arm-shutoff member supported without said side wall arranged to engage said actuatingmember to lift its notch from said eccentric-pin so as to disengage the latter from said togglejoint and discontinue the bell-striking operation of said hammer.

22. An electric alarm clock comprising a dial; a dial back-plate; a time-train; a cup-shaped arme i5 bell comprising a bottom Wall and a side wall; meansv to support said bell on said dial backplate in: rearwardly-spaced relation thereto and with the side wall of said bell extending rearwardly of its bottom wall, said bottom wall and said dial back-plate constituting a movement frame for sup-porting said time-train; an electric motor on said bottom wall Within said side wall and carrying a continuously-rotatable eccentric hammer-actuating pin atthe rear thereof, said motor also including a rotary-member extending through said bottom wall and operatively con-- nected at its forward end with said time-train; an alarm mechanism mounted on said bottom wall within said side Wall in juxtaposition to said motor, said alarm mechanism comprising a toggle-joint characterized by a loosely-jointed knee, a hammer formed integrally at one end of said toggle-joint and an actuating-member engaged at one end by said eccentric-pin and pivoted at portedwithout said side wall arranged tozengage said actuating-member to lift its notch from said eccentricpin so as tovdisconneot the latter from said toggle-joint and discontinue the bell-strikingv operation ofsaid hammer; and a guard carried by said manually-operated alarmeshutoif member, said guardl being arranged to extend over said actuatingemember in both its operative and inoperative positions to retain said actuatingmember within the range of operation of said eccentric-pin,

WILLIAM K. SESSIONS, JR.

EARL D, BRIGHTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED- STATES PATENTS l Niunbel' Name Date 1,999,692 Haydon et a1 Apr. 30, 1935 23 11318 Reichenbach Feb. 14', 1939 2,211,426 Hutchinson Aug. 13, 1940 

